Javascript Error

Your browser JavaScript is turned off causing certain features of the NIAID Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases web site to work incorrectly. Please visit your browser settings and turn JavaScript on.
Read more information on enabling JavaScript.

Federal Business Opportunities SOP

Purpose

To serve as the entry point for all federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000.

Procedure

FedBizOpps is a public Web site that features notices of Federal business opportunities, including proposed contract actions, solicitations, contract awards, and other procurement information.

FedBizOpps publications include the following:

Presolicitation notices convey the solicitation availability in FedBizOpps. This information is also used to create the NIH Guide notice.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation combines in a single document the synopsis requirement in FAR 5.203 with the solicitation issuance for commercial items only.

The response time for the combined synopsis/solicitation should be no longer than necessary to give offerors a chance to respond to the solicitation. Therefore, the combined synopsis/solicitation allows NIH to shorten the statutorily required 15 day synopsis period and 30 day offer period, allowing for a more streamlined commercial procurement procedure.

The procedure for the combined synopsis/solicitation is found in FAR 12.203.

Sources Sought notices survey the market to determine if there are sources that can satisfy our requirements.

Small Business Sources Sought notices specifically try to determine if there are two or more capable small businesses.

Capability statements are evaluated by the contracting officer's representative and other scientific program staff to determine capability.

If two or more small businesses are determined to be capable, the solicitation must be issued as a set-aside for small business.

In most cases, a sources sought notice should be published. However, sources sought notices are not needed for Broad Agency Announcements.

Special Notices for RFIs and Draft Solicitations promote early information exchange to identify and resolve issues about an acquisition, including contract type, terms and conditions, planning schedules, the feasibility of requirements (statements of work, performance, and data issues), and the suitability of proposal instructions and evaluation criteria.

Program staff and OA jointly decide whether the use of either a request for information or a draft solicitation would be beneficial. Allow extra time in the milestone schedule for this step.

The OA director approves use of RFIs and draft solicitations.

Posting of final solicitation and amendments. Transmissions to FedBizOpps must be in accordance with the interface description at FedBizOpps.

The contracting officer must make available through the FedBizOpps solicitations synopsized through FedBizOpps including specifications, technical data, and other pertinent information determined necessary by the contracting officer.

The contracting officer is encouraged, when practicable and cost-effective, to publish additional information related to a solicitation through FedBizOpps.

The contracting officer must ensure that solicitations transmitted using electronic commerce are forwarded to the FedBizOpps.

When NIH determines that a solicitation contains information that requires additional controls to monitor access and distribution (e.g., technical data, specifications, maps, building designs, schedules), use the enhanced access and distribution controls provided by FedBizOpps.

Amendments to the solicitation must also be posted on FedBizOpps according to FAR 5.102.

Should the contracting officer decide that there are no available subcontracting opportunities, it is the Office of Acquisitions policy that this decision must be documented in the file in the form of a separate memorandum or a notation in the negotiation memorandum explaining the basis for the contracting officer’s decision.

Justification and Approval.

The contracting officer must post the Justification and Approval (J&A) required by FAR 6.303-1 on the FedBizOpps Web site in accordance with FAR 6.305.

The J&A must be posted within 14 days after contract award.

In the case of a contract award permitted under FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency, the J&A must be posted within 30 days after contract award.

In the case of a brand name justification under FAR 6.302-1(c), Application for Brand-name Descriptions, the justification must be posted with the solicitation.

Fair Opportunity/Limited Sources Justification.

Within 14 days after award of a multiple award indefinite delivery indefinite quantity order which exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold and does not provide for fair opportunity in accordance with FAR 16.505(b), the contracting officer shall publish the justification required by FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(B) on FedBizOpps.

Contract Specialists

Prepare and ensure transmission of all contract actions over $25,000 to FedBizOpps, unless exempted by FAR 5.202, FAR 5.3, or one of the exceptions in FAR 6.302.

See other CO instructions in the list of FedBizOpps publications above.

Office of Acquisitions Support Staff

Transmit all notices to FedBizOpps at least 15 days before issuance of a solicitation, or a proposed contract action the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of 6.302.

Contracting Officer's Representative

Work with contract specialist to write sources sought notices and solicitation availability announcements.

Work with contract specialist to determine if an RFI or draft solicitation is beneficial.

Work with contract specialist to prepare RFI or draft solicitation.

With other scientific program staff, review capability statements and other technical information submitted in response to FedBizOpps announcements.

Contacts

If you have knowledge to share or want more information on this topic, email deaweb@niaid.nih.gov with the title of this page or its URL and your question or comment. Thanks for helping us clarify and expand our knowledge base.